There is no difference between a nurse assistant and a nurse aide. Both positions require expertise in assisting nurses while potentially aiming to become a nurse in the future.
Some duties of a nurse aide or nursing assistant include:
• Helping regular patients with eating
• Helping with transfers
• Helping with ambulatory preparation of the patient
• Grooming
• Making bed and turning patients over to prevent bed sores
• Bathing the client
• Walking with patients and helping them move around
• Reports of vital sign deviations
• House calls and nursing home roles
• Reading vital signs
• Assisting with exercise
• Light cleaning
• Slight administrative functions
And many other duties. A nurse assistant or nurse aide can also do home calls for clientele if they are in need of services outside of the hospital. Not all home calls require a nurse assistant or a nurse aide through.
Environmental Considerations:
Some of the environmental considerations for a nurse assistant and a nurse aide would be patients who have understandable issues with uncooperative behavior and potentially insulting words. The patient may feel violated or insulted because they cannot perform their duties on their own, which they used to do quite regularly on their own.
Does a nurse assistant or nurse aide have a specific specialty or is there room for growth?
There are specialized areas for a nurse assistant and a nurse aide to enter including psychiatry, assisting with heavy workloads for mentally ill and unable patients. This can include report taking and helping the patient when the specialized nurse or psychiatrist is not present. As well, a pediatric nurse assistant or nurse aide
would be responsible for assisting children to maintain their well being in the absence of the nurse by providing reports, looking at vitals, and other similar functions.
Both the above specialties may require more in-depth training since the nurse assistant and nurse aide would be working with much more sensitive patients, as well as working within more touchy medical areas in the case of legal liability.
What Interpersonal Skills Should a Nurse Assistant or Nurse Aide Possess?
The ability to communicate is crucial, especially to family members of the patient in order to covey information from the nurse to the family, or from the family to the nurse. Empathy and a respect for autonomy are two very important skill sets to posses. As a nurse assistant or nurse aide, you should be able to understand the needs of the patient, as well as respect boundaries and maintain dignity.
What Credentials are Needed to Become a Nurse Assistant or Nurse Aide?
Typically, high school or equivalent is needed, and in some institutions, a community college diploma or certificate will give you more opportunities as a nurse assistant or nurse aide.
Overall, to become a nurse assistant or nurse aide, little education is needed, which can be a good element, especially for those who want a starting point in the medical field.
Being a nurse assistant or nurse aide is a rewarding career where you can help patients, their families, and the nurses maintain a quicker recovery with your support and help! |
